That's probably fine in a Ruger Blackhawk; don't know if it's too hot for a Smith or not. It's over 20000 psi, but not a lot over. Alliant used to list 5.4 grains of Bullseye for 250 grain bullet .45 Colt data, but for some reason that was loaded down to about 11000 psi.

Why not split the difference and go with 7.0 grains for a start. QuickLoad software says that'll be about 14500 psi.

Bullseye is really not a great powder choice for a .45 Colt full power load.

rc

loadedround

December 25, 2009, 04:51 PM

cancelled

flomofo

December 26, 2009, 02:21 PM

I readom somehwere that the N Frame Smith was good and safe to 24,000 psi, it is the same as the 29-2 which I also started loading for.

I have h110 on hand for hotloads but it might be the same as my 29-2 which has some h110 loads ready to go.

So I'll probably wait to buy another powder to load some soft loads in 25-5.

If I can't find any of powders described in the recent 45 colt threads I will try
5.4 grams of bullseye for a start load.

Thanks guys.

Walkalong

December 26, 2009, 02:32 PM

That 8.5 Grs of Bullseye is a "start" load in the "Ruger Only" section of the Speer #13 manual.

They stop at 7.1 Grs in the standard .45 Colt section, which is what you need to go by for your Smith.

I agree with rcmodel in that Bullseye isn't the best choice for full (standard) .45 Colt loads. It certainly is not for Ruger only loads.

If that is what you have, fine, but I would start at 6.4, as shown in Speer #13, and work up to 7.1 Grs, if all looks well.

Unique or a similar burn speed power, would be much better suited. If you have to buy another power, Unique will be hard to beat for full (standard) loads in .45 Colt.

Jim Watson

December 26, 2009, 02:35 PM

I will try 5.4 grams of bullseye for a start load.

Might want to look up the difference between grams and grains before you get into it.

rcmodel

December 26, 2009, 04:46 PM

that the N Frame Smith was good and safe to 24,000 psi, it is the same as the 29-2It is not the same as a Model 29-2.

First, although the frames are the same size, the Model 29 is a little beefier in a few places.

Second, the chamber walls are thicker on the .44 Mag then on the .45 Colt due to the size of the holes in the cylinder & forcing cone.

rc

flomofo

December 27, 2009, 04:30 AM

The only other powders I have on hand are trail boss and clays.

Trail Boss would have been real nice to use to make light loads, but I only have Nosler 250 JHP's for 45 Colt right now.

I'll shoot for some unique again tomorrow but so far no luck finding unique or 2400...

zxcvbob

December 27, 2009, 11:27 AM

Herco is a nice powder for heavier .45 Colt loads. And it's not real popular, so you can sometimes find a dusty canister of it with an old price tag

SlamFire1

December 27, 2009, 12:15 PM

I gave Bullseye a try in my 45 LC. I picked what was a moderate load and shot it over my chronograph. Nothing bad happened and it was accurate, though it shot to a different point of aim than my Unique load.

I prefer the old established load of 8.5 grains Unique with a 250 or 255 L. I have used the same load with 250 JHP.

Of note, the velocity I got with Bullseye is exactly the velocity Hatcher reports for the 45 LC load for the M1909 revolver. I would only bump it up a bit. I would not try 8.5 grains of Bullseye in a 45 LC.

I would cut the loads to 9.5 for a starting load. I believe a 900 fps load is a little on the warm side for an N frame. My upper limit is 1000 fps, I have fired around 200 rounds of that stuff in my 25-7 and don’t see a need to shoot any more.

If you notice, Wolf was 50 fps less than WLP for the same powder charge.

Going to see what loads I can find for that. Making light loads with trail boss that fill up a case would be fun.

My goal was to actually make some light loads, at least as light as I can go with jacketed bullets.

Thanks for the suggestions so far too, I think I did see some Herco at a store but Unique has been sold out most everywhere.

What did you try as far as bullseye in your smith?

I have a 25-5 but it is the 8+ inch barrel.

TEDDY

December 27, 2009, 08:30 PM

why not shoot lead its less costly and you get more velocity for same load.the friction is less so they go faster.I dont load any jacket. as I cast all my bullets including rifle.my load in my ruger is 255 gr SWC with 9 .5 gr unique.its all I want to shoot.crony at 980 fts with 7 1/2 barrel.

flomofo

December 27, 2009, 10:00 PM

Thinking about it, but if I ever use these things on a hunt or for home defense or even for carry I prefer to use jacketed.

Plus leading isn't too big of a deal but I care not to have any and make thorough cleaning easier.

The main reason is I have nice Nosler Jackated bullets here already...